We cannot build alone

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We cannot build alone

Author: Abraham Coles
Tune: BROOKLYN (Zundel)
Published in 4 hymnals

Printable scores: MusicXML, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. We cannot build alone; to rear, great God, to Thee,
A house which Thou wilt own, Thou must the builder be.
Not by our might, but Thy power,
Must dome and tower take upward flight,
Must dome and tower take upward flight.

2. Were all the stones that lie unquarried ’neath the sod
Piled up against the sky, it were not worthy God.
To make this dear, Lord, condescend
Thy head to bend and enter here,
Thy head to bend and enter here.

3. Let faith here rear to God! Here love erect her thrones!
A house for Thine abode be built of lively stones!
We do not err, O Holy Ghost!
Pure hearts Thou dost to fanes prefer,
Pure hearts Thou dost to fanes prefer.

4. The heavenly only stands: Earth briefly typifies
The house not made with hands, eternal in the skies—
We see its towers: how sweet to know,
When hence we go, that house is ours!
When hence we go, that house is ours!

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #7146

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Author: Abraham Coles

Born: December 26, 1813, Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Died: May 3, 1891. Coles graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1835. In 1866, he was president of the New Jersey Medical Society; in 1871, Princeton University awarded him an LLD degree. His works include: Dies Irae (New York, 1859) Stabat Mater Dolorosa, 1865 Stabat Mater Speciosa, 1866 Old Gems in New Settings, 1866 The Microcosm, 1866, 1881 The Evangel in Verse, 1874 The Light of the World, 1884 --www.hymntime.com/tch Go to person page >

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